Monday, September 1

It was a ritual the captain performed religiously. Each and every morning, before breakfast, even before giving a single order, he would open a small safe in his cabin, open the envelope inside it, unfold the note it contained, and read it. Only then, after returning it safely to its containment, would he set about his daily duties.

For years this went on, and after a while his crew became understandably curious. Was it a treasure map? Was it a letter from a long lost love?

Finally, one day when the captain was called up suddenly to the deck, his first mate discovered that he had accidentally left the envelope on the table next to the open safe. Curiosity quickly won. The mate opened the envelope, took out the note, and to his astonishment he read the words: